The Nova Scotia House of Assembly is the province's unicameral legislature, located in Halifax, where 55 elected Members of the Legislative Assembly (MLAs) represent constituencies across the province. The House of Assembly is Canada's oldest legislative assembly, first meeting in 1758. The Assembly passes laws, approves budgets, and holds the provincial government accountable. The party or coalition with majority support forms government, with its leader becoming Premier. Provincial legislation from the Assembly directly affects municipalities through the Municipal Government Act and related laws governing local government powers, finances, and operations throughout Nova Scotia.